It was a sight that had even non-religious people shuddering….as a high-ho began ripping down an 1875 vintage church in Downtown Picton on a Sunday. Ameliasburgh Councillor Sandy Latchford alerted our newsroom that the demolition was underway yesterday on the Main Street site of the old Methodist Episcopal Church across from the Tim Horton’s. She calls it a blatant disregard for the permit process, the County’s Heritage and a lack of respect for our citizen’s and religious groups. The entire wall on the west side was ripped down before Chief Building Official Garry Davis brought the work to a halt. The owners Edith and Janina Jenkins have a demolition permit but the contractor didn’t apply to County Public Works for permits regarding street closure and sidewalk protection. The Ministry of Labour is investigating and meetings will take place before any work continues. The man driving the tractor……Jim Sinclair. Jim Sinclair was convicted of tearing down the old Bakelite factory in Belleville and allowing PCB’s to flow into the Bay of Quinte. He served four months in jail and was fined more than $600,000 for the crimes.